Cassette-type microfilm reader

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for projecting images from an information bearing medium such as filmstrip extending between supply and takeup members in a cassette. The apparatus includes a carriage assembly for receiving the cassette in a first position and for moving the cassette to a second position in which the filmstrip is aligned for projection and in which a two-way drive mechanism is engaged to the cassette supply and take-up members. Also, during movement to the second position, a focusing control mounted on the carriage assembly is coupled with a projection lens focusing device in the reader projection system. The projection apparatus further includes a relatively stationary film gate for supporting the filmstrip in a predetermined projection plane, and the cassette containing the filmstrip is adapted to envelop the film gate as the cassette is inserted into the projection apparatus by the carriage assembly.

United States Patent Knowles et al.

CASSETTE-TYPE MICROFILM READER Inventors: Frederick G. Knowles; ClarenceR. Taylor,

both of Rochester, N. Y.

Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company, Rochester,

Filed: Feb. 3, 1970 Appl. No.: 8,266

US. Cl... ..353/26, 352/72, 353/95 Int. Cl ....G03b 23/12, G03b l/48Field ofSearch ..353/26, ll, l2, l5, 19, 68,

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS July 25, 1972 57 ABSTRACTApparatus for projecting images from an information bearing medium suchas filmstrip extending between supply and takeup members in a cassette.The apparatus includes a carriage assembly for receiving the cassette ina first position and for moving the cassette to a second position inwhich the filmstrip is aligned for projection and in which a two-waydrive mechanism is engaged to the cassette supply and take-up members.Also, during movement to the second position, a focusing control mountedon the carriage assembly is coupled with a projection lens focusingdevice in the reader projection system. The projection apparatus furtherincludes a relatively stationary film gate for supporting the filmstripin a predetermined projection plane, and the cassette containing thefilmstrip is adapted to envelop the film gate as the cassette isinserted into the projection apparatus by the carriage assembly.

13 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures 4 SHEET 1 OF 4 PATENTEU JUL 25 m2 .FIG.2

FREDERICK G. KNOWLES CLARENCE R. TAYLOR IN VENTORS ATTORNEYSrAn-imcnmzsmz 3.679.298

' SHEET 3 0F 4 FREDERICK G. KNOWLES CLARENCE R; TAYLOR INVENTORSATTORNEYS PAIENTEnJuLzswn 3.679.298

FREDERICK G. KNOWLES CLARENCE R. TAYLOR I 46 INVENTORS I as \ fma/mATTORNEYS CASSETTE-TYPE MICROFILM READER CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATEDAPPLICATIONS Reference is made to commonly assigned copending US.application Ser. No. 8,309, entitled SELECTIVE SCANNING CONTROL FORPROJECTION APPARATUS, filed Feb. 3, 1970 in the names of Frederick G.Knowles and Clarence R. Taylor; and to commonly assigned copending US.application Ser. No. 8,267, entitled APPARATUS FOR STORING STRIPMATERIAL filed Feb. 3, 1970 in the names of Frederick G. Knowles andClarence R. Taylor.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This inventionrelates to apparatus for projecting images onto a surface, and moreparticularly to projection apparatus for receiving a cassette and forprojecting images onto a display surface from information bearing stripdisposed within the cassette.

2. Description of the Prior Art Projection apparatus or microfilmreaders of the type adapted to receive roll microfilm in cassettes arewell known in the art. Readers of this type usually employ drivemechanisms ranging from the extremely complex to the relatively simplefor advancing or rewinding film contained within the cassette.Generally, the drive mechanism is mounted either within the main housingof the reader, thereby necessitating a large cabinet so that themechanism will not interfere with the light path of the projectionsystem, or within a smaller structure attached to the main housing. Ineither case, the result is a rather large and bulky microfilm reader.

In addition, many readers of this type utilize microfilm cassettes ofthe type having a film gate integral with the structure of the cassetteitself or contained therein. Since greater precision is required inmanufacturing a cassette of this type rather than one without a filmgate, the manufacturing costs are higher. A cassette of this type mustalso be accurately supported with respect to the reader so that theportion of film in the cassette film gate will be maintained in theprojection plane of the reader. This requirement has necessitated somerather complex cassette positioning structure in microfilm readers,thereby further impeding the development of smaller, more compactreaders.

As a result of the above described problems, prior art readers arefairly expensive and usually occupy more or less permanent positions inoffices and other locations, requiring personnel to go to the machine inorder to utilize it. With the increasing use of roll-type microfilm inbusiness and industry, there is a need for a small, compact,lightweight, and relatively inexpensive cassette-type microfilm readerwhich is suitable for desk-top operation, i.e., one that occupies aminimum of desk or table-top space, is convenient to handle, and iseasily moved from one location to another.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is a principal object of thisinvention to reduce the size and weight of microfilm projectionapparatus.

It is another object of this invention to provide a small, compact, andlightweight projection apparatus for receiving and utilizing roll-typemicrofilm in cassette form.

A further object of this invention is to facilitate the insertion andremoval of a microfilm cassette into and outof a microfilm reader.

A still further object of this invention is to provide an economicalroll-type microfilm cassette having means for receiving a reader-mountedfilm gate.

In accordance with the teachings of this invention, a projectionapparatus is provided for projecting images from an information bearingstrip extending between a supply member and a takeup member in acassette. Means are provided for inserting and supporting the cassettein the projection apparatus and for engaging drive means with thecassette supply and takeup members to facilitate driving the informationbearing strip in either of two opposite directions in a past projectingmeans.

In an illustrative embodiment of the invention, a projection apparatussuch as a microfilm reader is disclosed which includes means, in thiscase a slidably mounted carriage assembly, for receiving and supportinga cassette and for inserting the cassette into the reader in operativerelation with the projecting means within the reader. A drive mechanismis caused to operatively engage the cassette as it is moved into suchoperative position. The microfilm reader also includes means formaintaining an information bearing medium such as filmstrip in aprojection plane. In this embodiment such maintaining means takes theform of a film gate comprising a pair of transparent members constructedand located to be encompassed by a cassette as the cassette is movedinto an operative position, the cassette having an opening into whichthe transparent members can extend. The microfilm reader furtherincorporates means for focusing the projection system, such focusingmeans taking the form of a projection lens slidably mounted within acylindrical housing, and means for operating the focusing means, suchoperating means taking the fonn of an operating shaft which isdetachably coupled with the projection lens concurrently with theinsertion of the cassette into the reader.

The invention, and its objects and advantages, will become more apparentin the detailed description of the preferred embodiment presented belowin conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

projection plane BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is aperspective view of a projection apparatus for projecting images fromfilmstrip stored in a cassette in accordance with the teachings of thisinvention:

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional, elevational view of the apparatus depictedin FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged, partially exploded, pictorial view of thecassette carriage assembly in open or raised position, partially brokenaway;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view, taken from below, of thecassette carriage assembly in a raised position;

FIG. 5 is a partially sectional, elevational view of the cassettecarriage assembly in closed position and showing a sectioned typicalfilm chamber of the cassette;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged, partially cross-sectional elevational viewshowing the cassette carriage assembly in open or raised position andsupporting a cassette; and

FIG. 7 is an enlarged, partially cross-sectional elevational view asshown in FIG. 6, but showing the cassette carriage assembly in closedposition with the cassette inserted into position for projection.

projection DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to thedrawings and in particular to FIGS. 1 and 2 there is shown a small andcompact projection apparatus or microfilm reader 10 having a housing II,the front wall of which is formed by a viewing screen 12. The topportion 14 of housing 11 is adapted to receive a cassette supportingmeans or carriage assembly 16 in a manner to be subsequently described.Carriage assembly 16 is capable of movement between two positions, anopen or raised position for receiving a film cassette l8, and a closedposition. Movement from the open position to the closed position iseffective to insert the film cassette 18 into microfilm reader 10 inalignment with the projection system of the reader. Cassette 18 isinserted into reader 10 through opening 17 in top portion 14 as shown inFIG. 6. Mounted on top of carriage assembly 16 is a film positioningcontrol knob 19 for driving a filmstrip contained in the cassette ineither of two opposite directions, and a focusing control knob 20 forfocusing the images projected onto viewing screen 12 by the projectionsystem of the reader.

FIG. 2 illustrates schematically the location of carriage assembly 16 inrelation to the projection system of reader 10,

which system includes a folded light path from the light source toviewing screen 12. Any suitable projecting means known in the art may beused, and in this embodiment there is shown a light source or projectionlamp 22, a reflector 24, a condenser lens 26, and a projection lens 28.Light projected through projection lens 28 will travel along the foldedlight path by the way of mirrors 30 and 32 to viewing screen 12. Meansare shown in FIG. 2 for maintaining film in the projecting plane ofreader 10, such means or film gate indicated generally by referencenumeral 34 and located between condenser lens 26 and projection lens 28.

Referring now to FIG. 3, carriage assembly 16 is shown in more detailand includes a base plate 36, a bracket member 38, and a drive mechanismindicated generally by reference numeral 40. Base plate 36 includes atop extension plate 37 perpendicular to the main portion of base plate36 and a central aperture 39 which is aligned with the projection systemwhen carriage assembly 16 is in its closed position within reader 10. Inorder to facilitate the vertical movement of carriage assembly 16between an open or raised position and a closed position as hereinabovedescribed, base plate 36 is movably mounted on interior wall 44.Although the mounting of base plate 36 may be in any manner known tothose skilled in the art, in the present embodiment base plate 36 isslidably supported, secured by a pair of retainer guides 46 which arefixedly attached to wall 44 in a vertical orientation.

Cassette 18 is supported in carriage assembly 16 by bracket member 38which is mounted on base plate 36 in a manner providing relativemovement between bracket 38 and base plate 36. Although bracket 38 maytake any suitable form, in this embodiment as can best be seen in FIG.4, bracket 38 includes a vertically oriented U-shaped plate 47 with apair of perpendicular extensions 49 disposed at the upper extremitiesthereof. Each extension has a centrally located aperture 51 forregistering film cassette 18 supported thereby. FIG. 4 shows carriageassembly 16 in the open or raised position with film cassette 18 restingon bracket 38, the bracket being mounted on base plate 36 by a pair ofpins 50 which are fixedly attached to base plate 36 and extend throughslots 52 in plate 47. The widths of slots 52 are slightly larger thanthe diameters of pins 50 to allow bracket 38 to move freely on pins 50such that when carriage assembly 16 is moved to the open or raisedposition, bracket 38 rests on pins 50 at the top of slots 52. Whencarriage assembly 16 is moved to its closed position within reader 10,bracket 38 encounters an obstruction or obstructions within the readerthereby causing bracket 38 to move upward relative to base plate 36,sliding along pins 50. Such obstructions within reader 10 may take anyform; however, in this embodiment the obstructions are stops 54 whichare projections from retainer guides 46. When bracket 38 is moved in anupward direction relative to base plate 36 as was just described, filmcassette 18 supported thereby is caused to engage film drive pin 56,shown in FIG. 3, and film drive pin 57, shown in FIG. 6. A portion ofbracket 38 is shown in FIG. in its uppermost position relative to baseplate 36 and resting against stop 54 with carriage assembly 16 in itsfully closed position, drive pin 56 being engaged with film cassette 18in a manner to be subsequently described.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 6 and 7 where the cassette loadingoperation is more fully illustrated. With carriage assembly 16 in itsopen or raised position, film cassette 18 is placed on bracket 38 whilebracket 38 is in its lowermost position in relation to base plate 36. Acassette 18' is shown in phantom in FIG. 6 to illustrate the properposition for a cassette prior to insertion into carriage assembly 16.After loading, as carriage assembly 16 is lowered into reader to theposition shown in FIG. 7, further downward travel of bracket 38 isprevented by contact with stops 54, thereby initiating relative movementbetween bracket 38 and base plate 36 as base plate 36 continues itsdownward travel until drive pins 56 and 57 have engaged cassette 18.Film cassette 18 is then positioned in alignment with the projectionsystem of reader 10 and images carried by filmstrip 58 contained withinfilm cassette 18 may be projected onto viewing screen 12.

So that filmstrip 58 contained within film cassette 18 may be driven ineither direction for selecting one of a plurality of images recordedthereon, a drive means or drive mechanism 40 is provided. It will beappreciated that any type of compact two-way drive mechanism known tothose skilled in the art may be used in carriage assembly 16; however,in the preferred embodiment of the invention as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7,drive mechanism 40 is mounted on extension plate 37 of base plate 36 andenclosed by drive housing 59. As more completely shown in FIG. 3, drivemechanism 40 includes A main drive member 60, a pair of secondary drivemembers 62 and 63, and a pair of idler members 64 and 65. The main drivemember is a flat roller 60 with friction surface 61a and is fixedlymounted on a main drive shaft 66 which is rotatably journalled throughextension plate 37. Rotatably mounted about shaft 66 is an idlerassembly which includes a triangularly shaped support member 68 on whichare mounted idler members or flat rollers 64 and with respectivefriction surfaces 61b and 61c in continual bearing contact with frictionsurface 61a of main drive roller 60. Secondary drive members or flatrollers 62 and 63 with respective friction surfaces 61d and Me arefixedly attached to drive pins 56 and 57, respectively, which arejournalled through extension plate 37. As illustrated in FIG. 3, thereare spaces 67 between secondary drive rollers 62 and 63 and main driveroller 60. The diameters of idler rollers 64 and 65 must be greater thandistances 67 in order for drive mechanism 40 to operate properly. It isunderstood that gears or other rotatable members may be used in lieu ofrollers without departing from the scope of this invention.

In operation, drive mechanism 40 is a two-way drive mechanism in thatonly one of rollers 62 or 63, is rotatably driven at one time and inopposite directions to one another, thereby facilitating movement offilmstrip 58 in either direction. When main drive roller 60 is rotatedin one direction, for example in the clockwise direction as depicted inFIG. 3, idler rollers 64 and 65 are rotated in a counterclockwisedirection and consequently support member 68 is rotated clockwise aboutmain drive shaft 66 by virtue of idler rollers 64 and 65 bearing againstmain drive roller 60 and support member 68 pivoting about shaft 66. Aswas previously mentioned, the diameter of idler roller 64 is greaterthan distance 67 between rollers 60 and 62, thereby preventing idlerroller 64 from passing between rollers 60 and 62. Therefore, when idlerroller 64 contacts secondary drive roller 62, any further rotation ofsupport member 68 the rotation of about main drive shaft 66 isprevented. As illustrated in FIG. 3, idler roller 64 then begins torotate about its own axis in a counterclockwise direction under theinfluence of main drive roller 60, drives secondary drive roller 62 anddrive pin 56 in a clockwise direction. Similarly, when main drive roller60 is rotated in the opposite or counterclockwise direction, the samesequence of events takes place, except in reverse. Idler rollers 64 and65 will be driven in a clockwise direction and support member 68 will berotated about main drive shaft 66 in a counterclockwise direction untilidler roller 65 comes into contact with secondary drive roller 63. Idlerroller 65 will then drive secondary drive roller 63 and drive pin 57 ina counterclockwise direction.

Although any suitable motive power may be used to rotate main driveshaft 66, in the preferred embodiment it is operated by film positioningcontrol knob 19. Control knob 19 is attached to main drive shaft 66 by aprojection or key 70 extending therefrom and a corresponding slot orkeyway 72 in control knob 19 as may best be seen in FIG. 3. When aloaded film cassette 18 is properly inserted into reader 10, filmstrip58 disposed therein may be driven in either of opposite directions bymanually rotating control knob 19 in the desired direction.

During operation, images projected on viewing screen 12 can be broughtinto focus thereon by translational movement of projection lens 28 alongits optical axis. Projection lens 28 is slidably mounted withincylindrical housing 74 to enable such translational movement, whichmovement is produced by an operating shaft 76 coaxially mounted withinmain drive shaft 66-so as to rotate independently thereof as shown inFIGS. 3 and 6. On the lower end of operating shaft 76 is an eccentricprojection 78. In operation, when carriage assembly 16 is lowered intoits closed position in relation to microfilm reader 10,'projection 78and the corresponding lower end of operating shaft 76 pass throughopening 17 and through an opening 80 in cylindrical housing 74,projection 78 extending further into slot 82 in projection lens 28 asbest shown in FIG. 7. Translation of projection lens 28 within housing74 is thereby effected by rotating operating shaft 76.

Although operating shaft 76 may be controlled in any convenient manner,in the disclosed embodiment focusing control knob 20 is affixed to theupper end of shaft 76. Control knob 20 enables shaft 76 to be controlledmanually. The above described focus means and focus operating means areeffective to produce, during operation of reader 10, a sharp infocusimage on viewing screen 12.

Any one of a number of different types of microfilm cassettes can beadapted for use with the microfilm reader disclosed herein. Therefore,it is understood that the disclosed microfilm reader is not limited touse with the hereafter described film cassette 18 or with the cassettedisclosed in the above referenced copending US. Ser. No. 8,267application, entitled APPARATUS FOR STORING STRIP MATERIAL. Preferably,a microfilm cassette of the type having no film gate incorporatedtherein is to be used with this type of microfilm reader, therebyallowing for simpler, more economical cassette construction and alsoallowing the film gate elements to be included as part of the microfilmreader structure itself, or affixed thereto. Such a reader-mounted filmgate provides for more accurate focusing of projected images because thefilm gate is fixed with relation to the projection lens.

A film cassette 18 for use with the disclosed microfilm reader 10 isillustrated in FIGS. 3, 4, and 5. Cassette 18 includes a housing orshell 84 in the form of two cylindrical cavities or film chambers 85 and86 which are closed on one end and open on the other end and areconnected by a film passageway 87 disposed therebetween. Passageway 87is formed by two walls 88 and 90 and a bottom edge member 92 (FIG. 4)and is open along its top edge as illustrated in FIG. 3. Wall 90 isdisposed generally tangential to the outer surface of film chambers 85and 86, and is spaced substantially parallel from wall 88. Wall 94 isformed in the middle of wall 90 and is spaced from wall 88 a greaterdistance than wall 90. Wall 94 has a projection aperture 96 (FIG. 4)aligned with projection aperture 98 in wall 88, which apertures 96 and98 in conjunction with passageway 87 act to frame for projection animage carried by filmstrip 58. Cassette 18 further includes a coverplate 100 for closing the open ends of film chambers 85 and 86 and theopen edge of passageway 87 after loading.

Film cassette 18 also includes a pair of supply and takeup members orspools 102 and 103 for insertion into film chambers 85 and 86,respectively. Spool 102 is shown in FIG. 5 loaded in film chamber 85 andincludes a flange 104 disposed at one end only of a partially hollowcentral core 106. The opposite end of core 106 is loosely seated indepression 108 in the closed end of film chamber 85. On the exteriorface of flange 104 is located a raised annular bearing surface 110. Aspring 112 positioned in the hollow of core 106 gently urges annularbearing surface 110 against cover plate 100 thereby producing a lightfriction drag on spool 102. The construction of spool 103 is identicalto that of spool 102.

Filmstrip 58 may be attached to spools 102 and 103 in a manner asdescribed in the above referenced copending US. application Ser. No.8,267 entitled APPARATUS FOR STORING STRIP MATERIAL, or in any otherwell known manner. After winding filmstrip 58 about either or bothspools 102 and 103, the spool and filmstrip combination can then beinserted into shell 84 by inserting spools 102 and 103 into the openends of film chambers 85 and 86, respectively, with that portion offilmstrip 58 extending between the spools being inserted into passageway87 through the open top edge thereof. Shell 84 is then closed byinstalling cover plate 100.

As shown in FIG. 3, a pair of drive sockets 114 and 115 areconcentrically located in the exterior face of each of flanges 104.Sockets 114 and 115 are shaped for receiving drive pins 56 and 57,respectively, in a coupling manner to impart rotational movement tospools 102 and 103, respectively. As oriented in FIG. 3, rotation ofspool 102 in a clockwise direction will advance filmstrip 58 onto spool102while rotation of spool 103 in a counterclockwise direction willadvance filmstrip 58 onto spool 103. The light friction drag produced byeach of surfaces 110 of spools 102and 103 bearing against cover plate100 keeps filmstrip 58 taut in passageway 87. It can be seen thatcassette 18 may be removed from reader 10 at any time in the projectioncycle; there is no need to rewind filmstrip 58 onto either spool 102 or103.

So that the portion of filmstrip 58 which is disposed within filmpassageway 87 is maintained within the projection plane of microfilmreader 10, a reader mounted film gate 34 is provided in the disclosedembodiment. Film gate 34 comprises a pair of transparent members orflats 118 and 120 rigidly mounted within microfilm reader 10 so thattheir uppermost portions are in alignment with the projection system ofreader 10 as shown in FIG. 7. Flats 118 and 120 are spaced apart asufiicient distance to allow the insertion of standard thicknessfilmstrip therebetween; yet, they are spaced close enough .toadequatelymaintain the film substantially within the projection plane defined byflats 118 and 120. To facilitate the insertion of a portion of filmstrip58 between flats I18 and 120, the bottom edge member 92 of cassette 18has an opening 122 centrally located between walls 88 and 94. Film gateopening 122 is sized to admit the entrance of flats 118 and 120 intofilm cassette 18 as cassette 18 is lowered into microfilm reader 10. Asbest illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, when film cassette 18 is insertedinto microfilm reader 10 by the operation of car riage assembly 16, filmgate opening 122 allows flats 118 and 120 to extend into passageway 87so as to slidably assemble over and entrap filmstrip 58'containedtherein, thereby maintaining it in the projection plane of reader 10.Flats 118 and 120 can have rounded or tapered ends 124 to facilitatetheinsertion of filmstrip 58 therebetween.

Flats 118 and 120 are rigidly attached to interior wall 44in microfilmreader 10 in any well known manner such as by screws 126. As illustratedin FIG. 4, there is a slot 128 in base plate 36 to allow base plate 36to be moved into microfilm reader 10 without interfering with flats 118and 120. With such a rigid film gate 34, greater accuracy is achieved inmaintaining filmstrip 58 within the projection plane of microfilm reader10 thereby minimizing focusing problems such as caused by film bucklingdue to heat generated by projection lamp 22. Such a configuration alsoallows for much simpler construction of the cassette 18 itself sincepassageway 87 need not include a film gate. Shell 84 of cassette 18 isdesigned so as to facilitate its production by well known plasticmolding processes; however, it is understood that film cassette 18 maybe fabricated in any suitable manner known to those skilled'in the art.

The invention has been described in detail with particular reference toa preferred embodiment thereof, but it will be understood thatvariations and modifications can be effected within the spirit and scopeof the invention.

We claim:

1. In projection apparatus for receiving a cassette having a housingdefining two spaced chambers and a passageway extending between and incommunication with said chambers, rotatable supply and takeup membersrespectively disposed in said chambers and a strip of informationbearing medium extending between said rotatable members through saidpassageway, said housing having a projection aperture in communicationwith said passageway, the combination compris mg:

projection means,

a gate comprising a pair of spaced members in alignment with saidprojection means along a projection axis,

a movably mounted carriage assembly adapted to receive and support acassette and to move it into and out of said projection axis,

drive means mounted on said carriage assembly for driving the rotatablesupply and take up members of said cassette,

said carriage assembly being movable between,

a first position wherein said cassette may be received by said carriageassembly, and wherein said drive means are operably disengaged from saidrotatable members of said cassette;

and

a second position wherein said projection aperture in said cassettehousing are in alignment with said projection axis and said members ofsaid gate envelop said cassette housing in the region of said cassetteprojection aperture, and wherein said drive means are engaged with saidcassette supply and takeup members and are operable to drive saidmembers,

and wherein said carriage assembly includes base plate means, said drivemeans being mounted on said base plate means and further includesbracket means slidably mounted on said base plate means and adapted tosupport said cassette whereby when said carriage assembly is in thefirst position said bracket means are in a third position relative tosaid base plate means wherein said bracket means are adapted to receivesaid cassette and said drive means on said base plate means aredisengaged from said rotatable members of said cassette and whereby whensaid carriage assembly is moved to the second position, said bracketmeans are moved relative to said base plate means to a fourth positionwherein said drive means on said base plate means are drivingly engagedwith said rotatable members of said cassette.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said members of said gate aretransparent at least in the region of said projection axis.

3. The combination of claim 1 wherein said carriage assembly is slidablymounted.

4. The combination of claim 1 wherein said drive means include a drivemember rotatable in first and second opposite directions,

first and second rotatable driven members,

means for operatively coupling said drive member to said first drivenmember when said drive member is rotated in said first direction,

means for operatively coupling said drive member to said second drivenmember when said drive member is rotated in said second direction,

said first and said second driven members each having portions whichrespectively operatively engage said supply and said take up members ofsaid cassette when said carriage assembly is moved to said secondposition.

5. In projection apparatus for receiving a cassette having a housingdefining two spaced chambers and a passageway extending between and incommunication with said chambers, rotatable supply and takeup membersrespectively disposed in said chambers and a strip of informationbearing medium extending between said rotatable members through saidpassageway, the combination comprising:

focusable projection means disposed along a projection axis,

a movably mounted carriage assembly adapted to receive and support acassette and to move it into and out of said projection axis,

drive means mounted on said carriage assembly for driving the rotatablesupply and takeup member of said cassette,

means for focusing said focusable projection means, said focusing meansbeing mounted on said carriage assembly,

said carriage assembly being movable between:

a first position wherein said cassette may be received by said carriageassembly, wherein said drive means are operably disengaged from saidrotatable members of said cassette and wherein said focusing means areoperably disengaged from said focusable projection means and,

a second position wherein said drive means are engaged with saidcassette supply and takeup members and are operable to drive saidmembers and wherein said focusing means are engaged with said focusableprojection means and are operable to focus said projection means.

6. The combination of claim 5 wherein said focusable projection meansinclude a projection lens slidably mounted within a cylindrical housingand wherein said focusing means include a member mounted on saidcarriage assembly and detachably engageable with said projection lens toslide said lens within said cylindrical housing to focus said lens.

7. The combination of claim 5 wherein said carriage assembly includesbase plate means, said drive means and said focusing means being mountedon said base plates means and further includes bracket means slidablymounted on said base plate means and adapted to support said cassettewhereby when said carriage assembly is in the first position saidbracket means are in a third position relative to said base plate meanswherein said bracket means are adapted to receive said cassette and saiddrive means on said base plate means are disengaged from said rotatablemembers of said cassette and whereby when said carriage assembly ismoved to the second position, said bracket means are moved relative tosaid base plate means to a fourth position wherein said drive means onsaid base plate means are drivingly engaged with said rotatable membersof said cassette.

8. The combination of claim 5 wherein said drive means include a drivemember rotatable in first and second opposite directions,

first and second rotatable driven members,

means for operatively coupling said drive member to said first drivenmember when said drive member is rotated in said first direction,

means for operatively coupling said drive member to said second drivenmember when said drive member is rotated in said second direction,

said first and said second driven members each having portions whichrespectively operatively engage said supply and said takeup members ofsaid cassette when said carriage assembly is moved to said secondposition.

9. ln projection apparatus for receiving a cassette having a housingdefining two spaced chambers and a passageway extending between and incommunication with said chambers, rotatable supply and takeup membersrespectively disposed in said chambers and a strip of informationbearing medium extending between said rotatable members through saidpassageway, said housing having a projection aperture in communicationwith said passageway, the combination comprismg:

focusable projection means,

a gate comprising a pair of spaced members in alignment with saidprojection means along a projection axis,

a movably mounted carriage assembly adapted to receive and support acassette and to move it into and out of said projection axis,

drive means mounted on said carriage assembly for driving the rotatablesupply and takeup member of said cassette,

means for focusing said focusable projection means, said focusing meansbeing mounted on said carriage assembly,

said carriage assembly being movable between:

a first position wherein said cassette may be received by said carriageassembly, wherein said drive means are operably disengaged from saidrotatable members of said cassette and wherein said focusing means areoperably disengaged from said focusable projection means, and

a second position wherein said projection aperture in said cassettehousing is in alignment with said projection axis and said members ofsaid gate envelop said cassette housing in the region of said cassetteprojection aperture,

wherein said drive means are engaged with said cassette supply andtakeup members are operable to drive said members and wherein saidfocusing means are engaged with said focusable projection means and areoperable to focus said projection means.

10. The combination of claim 9 wherein said focusable projection meansinclude a projection lens slidably mounted within a cylindrical housingand wherein said focusing means include a member mounted on saidcarriage assembly and detachably engageable with said projection lens toslide said lens within said cylindrical housing to focus said lens.

11. The combination of claim 9 wherein said members of said gate aretransparent at least in the region of said projection axis 12. Thecombination of claim 9 wherein said carriage assembly includes baseplate means, said drive means and said focusing means being mounted onsaid base plates means and further includes bracket means slidablymounted on said base plate means and adapted to support said cassettewhereby when said carriage assembly is in the first position saidbracket means are in a third position relative to said base plate meanswherein said bracket means are adapted to receive said cassette and saiddrive means on said base plate means are disengaged from said rotatablemembers of said cassette and whereby when said carriage assembly ismoved to the second position, said bracket means are moved relative tosaid base plate means to a fourth position wherein said drive means onsaid base plate means are drivingly engaged with said rotatable membersof said cassette.

13. The combination of claim 9 wherein said drive means include a drivemember rotatable in first and second opposite directions, first andsecond rotatable driven members, means for operatively coupling saiddrive member to said first driven member when said drive member isrotated in said first direction, drive means for operatively couplingsaid drive member to said second driven member when said drive member isrotated in said second direction, said first and said second drivenmembers each having portions which respectively operatively engage saidsupply and said take up members of said cassette when said carriageassembly is moved to said second position.

t i i Q ag? v v UNITED STATES PATENT QFFICE csmmcms e creme 3,679,293Dated July 25, 1972 Patent No.

lnventofls) Frederick G. Knowles and Clarence R. Taylor It is certifiedthat error appears in the above-identified patent and that said LettersPatent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 10, line 15.

"drive means should read "means Signed and sealed this 19th day ofDecember 1972.

- (SEAL) Attest EDWARD MQFLETCHERN'R. Attesting Officer ROBERTGOTTSCHALK Commissioner of Patents mg? UNITED STA ES PATENT ()FFKQE'CETENQAT QEQTEN 3,679,298 Dated July 25, 1972 Patent No.

Inventor s Frederick G. Knowles and Clarence R. Taylor It is certifiedthat error appears in the above-identified patent and that said LettersPatent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 10, line 15 "drive means" should read 'v'means" Signed and sealedthis 19th day of December 1972. 1

(SEAL) Attest;

EDWARQMELETCHER, JR. ROBERT GOTTSCHALK Attestlng Officer I Commissionerof Patents

1. In projection apparatus for receiving a cassette having a housingdefining two spaced chambers and a passageway extending between and incommunication with said chambers, rotatable supply and takeup membersrespectively disposed in said chambers and a strip of informationbearing medium extending between said rotatable members through saidpassageway, said housing having a projection aperture in communicationwith said passageway, the combination comprising: projection means, agate comprising a pair of spaced members in alignment with saidprojection means along a projection axis, a movably mounted carriageassembly adapted to receive and support a cassette and to move it intoand out of said projection axis, drive means mounted on said carriageassembly for driving the rotatable supply and take up members of saidcassette, said carriage assembly being movable between, a first positionwherein said cassette may be received by said carriage assembly, andwherein said drive means are operably disengaged from said rotatablemembers of said cassette; and a second position wherein said projectionaperture in said cassette housing are in alignment with said projectionaxis and said members of said gate envelop said cassette housing in theregion of said cassette projection aperture, and wherein said drivemeans are engaged with said cassette supply and takeup members and areoperable to drive said members, and wherein said carriage assemblyincludes base plate means, said drive means being mounted on said baseplate means and further includes bracket means slidably mounted on saidbase plate means and adapted to support said cassette whereby when saidcarriage assembly is in the first positiOn said bracket means are in athird position relative to said base plate means wherein said bracketmeans are adapted to receive said cassette and said drive means on saidbase plate means are disengaged from said rotatable members of saidcassette and whereby when said carriage assembly is moved to the secondposition, said bracket means are moved relative to said base plate meansto a fourth position wherein said drive means on said base plate meansare drivingly engaged with said rotatable members of said cassette. 2.The combination of claim 1 wherein said members of said gate aretransparent at least in the region of said projection axis.
 3. Thecombination of claim 1 wherein said carriage assembly is slidablymounted.
 4. The combination of claim 1 wherein said drive means includea drive member rotatable in first and second opposite directions, firstand second rotatable driven members, means for operatively coupling saiddrive member to said first driven member when said drive member isrotated in said first direction, means for operatively coupling saiddrive member to said second driven member when said drive member isrotated in said second direction, said first and said second drivenmembers each having portions which respectively operatively engage saidsupply and said take up members of said cassette when said carriageassembly is moved to said second position.
 5. In projection apparatusfor receiving a cassette having a housing defining two spaced chambersand a passageway extending between and in communication with saidchambers, rotatable supply and takeup members respectively disposed insaid chambers and a strip of information bearing medium extendingbetween said rotatable members through said passageway, the combinationcomprising: focusable projection means disposed along a projection axis,a movably mounted carriage assembly adapted to receive and support acassette and to move it into and out of said projection axis, drivemeans mounted on said carriage assembly for driving the rotatable supplyand takeup member of said cassette, means for focusing said focusableprojection means, said focusing means being mounted on said carriageassembly, said carriage assembly being movable between: a first positionwherein said cassette may be received by said carriage assembly, whereinsaid drive means are operably disengaged from said rotatable members ofsaid cassette and wherein said focusing means are operably disengagedfrom said focusable projection means and, a second position wherein saiddrive means are engaged with said cassette supply and takeup members andare operable to drive said members and wherein said focusing means areengaged with said focusable projection means and are operable to focussaid projection means.
 6. The combination of claim 5 wherein saidfocusable projection means include a projection lens slidably mountedwithin a cylindrical housing and wherein said focusing means include amember mounted on said carriage assembly and detachably engageable withsaid projection lens to slide said lens within said cylindrical housingto focus said lens.
 7. The combination of claim 5 wherein said carriageassembly includes base plate means, said drive means and said focusingmeans being mounted on said base plates means and further includesbracket means slidably mounted on said base plate means and adapted tosupport said cassette whereby when said carriage assembly is in thefirst position said bracket means are in a third position relative tosaid base plate means wherein said bracket means are adapted to receivesaid cassette and said drive means on said base plate means aredisengaged from said rotatable members of said cassette and whereby whensaid carriage assembly is moved to the second position, said bracketmeans are moved relative to said base plate means to a fourth positionwherein said drive means on said base plate means are drivingly engagedwith said rotatable members of sAid cassette.
 8. The combination ofclaim 5 wherein said drive means include a drive member rotatable infirst and second opposite directions, first and second rotatable drivenmembers, means for operatively coupling said drive member to said firstdriven member when said drive member is rotated in said first direction,means for operatively coupling said drive member to said second drivenmember when said drive member is rotated in said second direction, saidfirst and said second driven members each having portions whichrespectively operatively engage said supply and said takeup members ofsaid cassette when said carriage assembly is moved to said secondposition.
 9. In projection apparatus for receiving a cassette having ahousing defining two spaced chambers and a passageway extending betweenand in communication with said chambers, rotatable supply and takeupmembers respectively disposed in said chambers and a strip ofinformation bearing medium extending between said rotatable membersthrough said passageway, said housing having a projection aperture incommunication with said passageway, the combination comprising:focusable projection means, a gate comprising a pair of spaced membersin alignment with said projection means along a projection axis, amovably mounted carriage assembly adapted to receive and support acassette and to move it into and out of said projection axis, drivemeans mounted on said carriage assembly for driving the rotatable supplyand takeup member of said cassette, means for focusing said focusableprojection means, said focusing means being mounted on said carriageassembly, said carriage assembly being movable between: a first positionwherein said cassette may be received by said carriage assembly, whereinsaid drive means are operably disengaged from said rotatable members ofsaid cassette and wherein said focusing means are operably disengagedfrom said focusable projection means, and a second position wherein saidprojection aperture in said cassette housing is in alignment with saidprojection axis and said members of said gate envelop said cassettehousing in the region of said cassette projection aperture, wherein saiddrive means are engaged with said cassette supply and takeup members areoperable to drive said members and wherein said focusing means areengaged with said focusable projection means and are operable to focussaid projection means.
 10. The combination of claim 9 wherein saidfocusable projection means include a projection lens slidably mountedwithin a cylindrical housing and wherein said focusing means include amember mounted on said carriage assembly and detachably engageable withsaid projection lens to slide said lens within said cylindrical housingto focus said lens.
 11. The combination of claim 9 wherein said membersof said gate are transparent at least in the region of said projectionaxis.
 12. The combination of claim 9 wherein said carriage assemblyincludes base plate means, said drive means and said focusing meansbeing mounted on said base plates means and further includes bracketmeans slidably mounted on said base plate means and adapted to supportsaid cassette whereby when said carriage assembly is in the firstposition said bracket means are in a third position relative to saidbase plate means wherein said bracket means are adapted to receive saidcassette and said drive means on said base plate means are disengagedfrom said rotatable members of said cassette and whereby when saidcarriage assembly is moved to the second position, said bracket meansare moved relative to said base plate means to a fourth position whereinsaid drive means on said base plate means are drivingly engaged withsaid rotatable members of said cassette.
 13. The combination of claim 9wherein said drive means include a drive member rotatable in first andsecond opposite directions, first and second rotatable driven members,means for operativeLy coupling said drive member to said first drivenmember when said drive member is rotated in said first direction, drivemeans for operatively coupling said drive member to said second drivenmember when said drive member is rotated in said second direction, saidfirst and said second driven members each having portions whichrespectively operatively engage said supply and said take up members ofsaid cassette when said carriage assembly is moved to said secondposition.